A dream come true

Thomas named to Team USA

Having just backstopped his team to a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory over the Philadelphia Flyers in the wonderful spectacle that was the 2010 Winter Classic, Thomas' eyes welled up as he skated around the makeshift rink at Fenway Park in a Team USA jersey.

With the capacity crowd of 38,112 giving him a standing ovation, the appearance of Thomas in red-white-and-blue was the culmination of the much-anticipated on-ice announcement of the 2010 U.S. Olympic team.

As Thomas absorbed the once-in-a-lifetime moment, U.S. general manager Brian Burke then handed him an American flag that had accompanied soldiers in a mission over Iraq.

"I've been dreaming of this moment for 30 years," Thomas said as he accepted the stars-and-stripes from Burke. "It's just unbelievable. I was born an American, I'm a proud to be an American and it's an honour to wear that American jersey.

"To be named in front of my home crowd at Fenway Park, it's a story that will follow me for the rest of my life."

Thanks to a late Bruins rally, Thomas went from zero to hero.

Having been knocked down by the Flyers' Scott Hartnell early in the second period, Thomas took a lunge at the pesky Philly forward several seconds later and was out of position when Danny Syvret put the visitors up 1-0 at 4:42.

Comedian Dennis Leary, a native of Boston, was at the game and said during a radio interview that Thomas butchered the play. Thomas agreed.

"My fault. I lost my cool," Thomas said.

Fortunately, the Bruins came back to win the game and save the day.

While many observers figure Thomas will back up Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller in Vancouver, Thomas is not conceding anything.

"I think whoever is playing better at the time will get the job," he said."